Democratic Sentinel, Volume 19, Number 40, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 October 1895 — It Was a Bullet. [ARTICLE]

It Was a Bullet.

An interesting story is told of an unusual experience of Mr. Lawrence Winters, until recently a cigar maker in this city, which occurred during the late war, but the truth of which was not learned until a few years ago. A large scar on his arm proves the truthfulness of the story. He was a member of the Twentyeighth Ohio Regiment and during the battle of Chickamauga was in the thickest of the fighting, His regiment was standing over near some woods, and during the battle the artillery of the opposite side was trained on them. Trees began falling in every direction and a number of men were struck by the falling trees. Just as he was in the act of firing his gun a tree fell and tho branches struck him a stinging blow on the arm. His arm began to bleed and it was found necessary to have him taken to the hospital. There his arm was dressed and as it soon healed nothing was thought of the matter. His arm would occasionally give him a good deal of pain, but he thought nothing of that until a few years ago, when it began to annoy him so much that he decided to consult a physician. After examining his arm the physician told him that there was a hard substance inside the flesh and said it would be necessary to cut it out to give him relief. Winters at first obj jected, but finally gave his consent and the operation began. After j probing for some time the doctor drew from the flesh a large miniej ball. The ball was taken from the spot where Winters thought the branch of the falling tree had made a wound. He then came to the conclusion that he had been shot exactly at the time tho branches of the tree fell on him.